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Click on the image for more information on sickle cell disease. |
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Hemoglobin, the main molecule in the red blood cells, can show a number of genetic differences. Some cause severe problems and some cause no problems whatever.
One of the most common genetic alterations causes the hemoglobin to polymerize or form long strands when oxygen to the cell is very low. These long strands stretch the cells into long "sickle" shapes found in sickle cell anemia.
Other inherited disorders called thalassemias cause an imbalance in the supply of molecular parts (the globin) which make up hemoglobin.
When a thalassemia prevents hemoglobin from forming properly, the blood cells may become misshapen and fragile. Notice that these are all very lightly colored. This condition, called hypochromia, is because they have too little hemoglobin to provide the normal color to the cells.
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